Metallica, Godsmack electrify crowd in explosive metal show

Published: Monday, September 06, 2004

WILLIAM KERNSA-J ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Neither metal royalty Metallica nor Boston-based upstart Godsmack is a stranger to Lubbock. Perhaps feeding off of each other's respect and energy, both bands performed top-of-the-line, stupendous shows Saturday at the United Spirit Arena that left almost 10,000 participating fans as sweaty and exhausted as the musicians.

The still young USA has not been home to that many hard rock shows thus far, but it's difficult to conceive of a better one  or a louder one, as the sound of explosions and pyrotechnic effects at first had the effectiveness of shotgun blasts and, by the end of Metallica's encore, shook the house like artillery.

Robin O'Shaughnessy / A-J Photo

Metallica James Hetfield Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, in concert at the United Spirit Arena.

Even during Godsmack's opening set, towers of fire from the pyro explosions shot so high into the air that every fan could feel the heat and smell the smoke afterward. Everything would be bigger after Metallica arrived at 9:15 p.m.

Yet neither band depended on such goodies to maintain fan involvement. Rather, the music was almost always angry, threatening, involving and absolutely impossible to ignore.

Godsmack, fueled by the personality of lead vocalist Sully Erna, won't be opening for anybody much longer. Few bands put on a more intense live show. That said, even hired to put the crowd in the proper mood for the headliner, Godsmack went above and beyond the call of duty.

Too often, seats are left empty until the headliner's arrival. Not at a Godsmack show. Playing to the entire hall, Erna practically dares anyone in the hall to sit down during their set.

Stragglers may stand because of his words; they stay on their feet because of the music. As the crowd's volume rose and fist-shaking became almost choreographed, Erna knew how to dish out compliments and make fans feel like part of the show.

Saturday's concert was played in the round. It also was the first at the USA to allow general admission ticket holders on the floor, close to the stage.

That called for security to line the barriers surrounding the stage and even more security to surround the reserved seating to make sure no one vaulted over a rail onto the floor.

Godsmack and Metallica both faced a major challenge with the sheer size of the stage. A very clean playing surface was provided, but the four-man bands would have to involve audiences without the intimacy of musicians playing directly next to one another.

Metallica/Godsmack at USA

 Prior appearances: Metallica has played in the past at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. Godsmack played at the Canyon Amphitheater.

 Ticket capacity was 14,000. The show did not sell out, although all of the $81.50 general admission floor tickets were purchased quickly.

 Film: Screens plugged the Metallica documentary "Some Kind of Monster." However, no Lubbock indoor theater has booked it yet. The film showed one night only  Aug. 31  at the Stars & Stripes Drive-In.

 Next up: Both bands take a break. Godsmack plays in Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., on Sept. 11 and 15, respectively. Metallica and Godspell start a new tour Sept. 21 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland. Texas dates are Nov. 16 at Toyota center in Houston and Nov. 20 at SBC Center in San Antonio.

 Next at USA: Van Halen at 8 p.m. Sept. 29.

Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin's drum kit was elevated and spun in the dark between songs, allowing him face time with all fans.

The drum kit belonging to Lars Ulrich, of Metallica, was set on the lip of a stage that revolved so slowly it was hardly noticeable; it would take the band's entire two hours on stage for him to make one revolution.

The crowd obviously knew the words to most songs, and Erna's powerful vocals helped practically every tune sound like an anthem, excelling on "Keep Away" and saving a crunching "I Stand Alone" for a show closer.

The highlight of Godsmack's hour-long set, however, finds a second elevated drum kit materializing. Erna takes a seat, both drum kits swivel until Erna and Larkin face each other like gunfighters and the two engage in an extended, melodic but raging percussion duel, with Erna playing hand drums and bongos.

It was great.

Any other headliner would have worried. Metallica appeared on stage after a 45-minute intermission and tore into a combination of old and new material that seemed to ask Godsmack, "Is that all you got, kid?"

But Metallica also invited Sully Erna back on stage at 10:15 p.m. so that lead singer James Hetfield, Erna and the crowd could share biting vocals on "Sad But True." Erna, like a kid in a candy store, hugged every member of the band before departing.

Prefaced by a film clip of Eli Wallach from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" interacting with composer Ennio Morricone's "Ecstasy of Gold," Metallica would include their similarly titled adaptation among an intriguing set of old and new material.

Metallica, now in its 21st year, suffered a few down moments since the turn of the century. Fans questioned everything from the band members' haircuts to their attempts to experiment; previously hidden dysfunction came to light. And this year, Hetfield, Ulrich, always impressive guitarist Kirk Hammett and fun new bass player Rob Trujillo take nothing for granted.

They appear refreshed, physically stronger and happier playing. Ulrich could not even stay seated, jumping up to show appreciation by high-fiving enthusiastic fans at the barrier.

The band definitely has not abandoned speed metal formats. Hetfield's vocals are extremely good and the band still is quite adept at chewing up rock 'n' roll poseurs. Opening with "Blackened" and juggling classics with tunes from "St. Anger," the set was a blitzkrieg of highlights.

A couple of lulls in intensity cannot be denied; camera work for hanging screens was totally unimpressive. But if it sounded like the crowd was more subdued when the band first left the stage, it's a safe bet that was because the show had left everyone hoarse, sweaty and worn out.

It wasn't like anyone even considered leaving the arena before the band returned to play "Nothing Else Matters," "Master of Puppets" and more.